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Man's inhumanity to man
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I was under the impression that "cloud 9" referred specifically to the ninth cloud in the cloud classification system—that this cloud is the cumulonimbus and is super fluffy and…
An exact quote of Aaron Hill's verse about grasping a nettle can be found in the 1990 computer RPG Ultima VI: The False Prophet, as a line uttered by the Shrine of Valor when…
Examples of this expression can be found from the 17th century: 1677: "if his Fortune fall short, curses his confidence; and to eke out his revenge, takes forth a Capias for his…
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From the Phrase Finder Digest
- We Are In The Dog Days. They Have Nothing To Do With Dogs
Late July is when Britain reaches for the phrase 'dog days'. The Romans who coined it were not thinking about exhausted labradors on hot pavements.
22 July 2026
Based on Google Books usage over the last ~25 years. Refreshes each build.
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- Meaning Binge watch To watch many episodes of a television series in one sitting, typically via a streaming service or box set.
- Meaning Inside job A crime, typically a robbery or fraud, committed by someone who lives or works in the place targeted, or with that person's help. More recently, any event that conspiracy theorists claim was secretly staged by the authorities themselves.
- Meaning Out of the blue Suddenly and completely unexpectedly, without any warning.
- Meaning Silver fox An attractive older man with grey or greying hair. Literally, the silver-black colour form of the red fox, once among the most valuable pelts in the fur trade.
- Meaning He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches A criticism of the teaching profession, portraying it as second best.
- Meaning Too much of a good thing Excess may do you harm.
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Phrases.org.uk has been documenting the meaning and origin of phrases, sayings and idioms since 1997. Every entry is researched and written by Gary Martin, with citations to the earliest printed use we can find.
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